Atiku Breaks Silence on Defections, Buhari Visit, and Tinubu’s Leadership

Former Vice President and 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has responded to recent political developments and criticisms surrounding his visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the defection of some PDP members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued on Friday, April 25, 2025, Atiku addressed what he described as “hypocrisy” and “selective outrage” in Nigerian politics, reaffirming his commitment to democratic principles, including freedom of association and expression.

“Freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights,” Atiku stated. “Defections, alliances, and realignments are part and parcel of democratic politics. We’ve seen them before, and we’ll see them again.”

Responding to backlash over his recent visit to former President Buhari, Atiku noted that political consultations across party lines are neither new nor unusual, citing historical precedents during the opposition merger of 2013.

“Buhari is not only a former leader but a significant statesman in the Nigerian political landscape,” he said. “So why is it now sacrilegious for me and other leaders to visit Buhari in Kaduna?”

He further criticized what he termed a double standard in the public discourse.

“When PDP leaders are busy sipping tea and brokering power deals with President Tinubu, it’s called strategic alliance. But the moment I greet Peter Obi, el-Rufai, or visit Buhari, it becomes a national emergency,” Atiku remarked. “Hypocrisy and the politics of selective outrage have never been this fashionable!”

Shifting focus to the state of the nation, Atiku offered a scathing critique of the Tinubu administration, blaming it for the country’s worsening economic crisis and rising social unrest.

“The economy is in freefall. Inflation is choking the masses. Jobs are vanishing. Youth restiveness is surging to terrifying levels,” he said. “This moment is about collective survival. The real enemy is not one another — it is the Tinubu administration’s abysmal failure.”

Calling for national unity and vigilance, Atiku warned against divisive politics, accusing the current administration of using ethnicity and religion as tools to deflect from its shortcomings.

“The Tinubu administration has no achievements to stand on, no credible record to defend. Its only strategy is chaos and division, because that’s the last refuge of the incompetent,” he asserted.

Atiku concluded his statement by rallying Nigerians to focus on the real issues, urging them not to be distracted by political gimmicks.